Metallic wall structure



May 3, 1932. E. F. HAUSERMAN ET AL METALLI C WALL STRUCTURE Original Filed Sept. 7, 1926 4 ets-S eet INVENTOR.

Ear? f/azzserman Leray D, Mane/ y and. BY Jalh ftafimraalr y 1932- E. F. HAUSERMAN ET AL METALLIC WALL STRUCTURE Original Filed Sept. 7, 1926 4 Sheets Sheet 3 A TTORN Y2 May 3, 1932- E. F. HAUSERMAN ET AL METALLIC WALL STRUCTURE Original Filed Sept. 7, 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet a m%wm9m m/ w n a H AM F/ f ZMM w% 5 Bmw Patented May 3, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EARL I. HAUSERMAN, OF CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, LEROY D. HOWEBY, OI CLEVELAND, AND JOHN. A. BOHNSAGK, OF EAST CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOBS TO THE E. I. HAUSERMAN COMPANY, 01! CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO METALLIC WALL STRUCTURE Original application fled September 7, 1926, Serial No. 184,110. Divided and this application fled. August 20, 1928. Serial No. 800,684.

This invention relating, as indicated, to wall structures has more particular reference to construction adaptable to interior use, and it is among the objects of the invention to provide a construction which is substantial and yet not of great weight, and which may be readily assembled or disassembled at will. Other objects will appear as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described, and particularly pointed out in the claims, the annexed drawings and the following description setting forth in detail certain features embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but few of various forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawings Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a partition or wall made in accordance with the presentinvention; Fig. 2 is a fragmentary elevation on slightly larger scale showing an extension post or through-post such as'is used at intervals to add rigidity in long runs of partition; Fig. 3 is a transverse section of a support; Fig. 4 is a similar section of a disassembled support; Fig. 5 is a transverse section of a modified form of assembly wherein superstructure panels and superstructure posts are used above a cornice; Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section through a support member near the floor line; Fig. 7 is alongitudinal section through a support member near the floor line illustrating a modified form of construction; Fig. 8 is a transverse section through an extension post and top filler along the line VIII-VIII, Fig. 2, the support member being shown in dotted lines; Fig. 9 is a detail in elevation showing the method of connecting an extension'post to the ceiling; Fig. 10 is a detail section along the line X-X, Fig. 1, illustrating a door strike; Fig. 11 is a trans- 4 verse vertical section of a panel member having a high base and an ornamental chair rail; Fig. 12 1s a transverse vertical section illustrating a panel member having a steel stretcher and assembled to a ortion of a similar panel member below, t e central insert being a horizontal section through a muntin; Fig. 13 is a transverse vertical section through a panel member having a glass stretcher and assembled to another panel member below, the central insert view being a horizontal section through a muntin; Fi 14 is a'view in detail of a clamping nut; ig. 15 is a transverse vertical section along the line XV-XV, Fig. 1 through the cornice and top filler; Fig. 16 in a transverse horizontal section alon the line XVIXVI, Fig. 1 through an end ller; and Fig. 17 is a hor1zontal section along the line XVIIXVII, Fig. 1, showing a joint in the top filler.

The support or post members 'S are made up in general rectangular cross section, and of longitudinal channel-form, for example a sheet metal channel piece 1 preferably having its margins 2 braced byties 3 at spaced intervals, these being welded or riveted or the like, and a post cap or face plate 4 being arranged to engage and be secured to the sup .port member or to the ties. A convenient mode of fastening is by screws or bolts in the face plate and ties. Shoulders or abutments 5, preferably integral, are arranged on the support member, and advantageously also on the faceplate, and where symmetrically provided all around, these add to the-utility and to the appearance, it being possible to assemble partition filler members F in whatever direction required, and additional ornamental inserts I may be applied where desired. These inserts may be of shallow channel strip, and suitable holding means, for instance screws or bolts may be used to secure them in place.

A cornice C will ordinarily be arranged on the supports or posts, and the latter may terminate at the cornice or there may be splices or extensions thereabove, the latter arrangement being advisable at least at intervals in rather long stretches of partition. Instead of carrying the support up in.full size in all such instances, we prefer in some cases a telescoping extension comprising, for instance, spaced channel irons 6 (Fig. 8), and where these extend beyond the support and are exposed they may have more or less of a boxing 7 thereabout, with or without a central brace 8, as preferred, and lateral tongues 9 longitudinally for receiving filler members 7. The channel irons are anchored above to the ceiling by a bracket 10. T 0 secure the supports or posts to the floor, a bracket 14, (Fig. 6), having upstanding portions and anchored to the floor by a lag screw or the like 15 may be arranged to engage at either side against the post, which is positioned thereby. Panel members F having a bridge portion 18a are brought into assembled relation. Through openings in the arms of the bracket and the post, clips 16 having engaging portions 16?) may be arranged, these in turn having slots through which wedges 17 may be set in order to tighten the assembly, or an angle-bolt 16a (Fig. 7) may be used instead of the clip and wedge.

The filler or panel members may vary somewhat in detail, depending upon the particular needs at any given place, but ordinarily are interchangeable units, and in one advantageous form these will comprise channeled sheet metal members 18 and 19, (Fig. 11) the latter or upper being shallower, and to close these respectively, inset closures 20 and 21 are assembled, and secured in suitable manner, for instance by welding or brazing.

' In the opposing faces of the respective members 18, 19, are grooves or recesses 22 for receiving a panel stretcher member 23. This latter may be of sheet metal of suitable character and thickness or in some instances may be laminated or of fiber composition or glass or wire mesh. Ordinarily though where glass is used, it is better to mount it in channeled members of shallower form such as 24, 25 (Fig. 13) having also a more liberal groove in which putty or the like 27 may be used. Preferably the upper groove 26' is made deeper than the lower groove 26 so that a glass pane may be easily placed by in serting the upper edge in the groove 26 first, then swinging the pane inwardly until its lower edge slips into the lower groove 26. Putty may be applied to make tight joints. Where the spread of glass would exceed a desirable size for a one pane construction, one or more central muntins M may be interposed. Conveniently these may be made up of a shouldered channel piece 28 flanged at m and a coacting channel cover piece 30 secured together by screws 31 and clamping nuts 29, which are of elongate narrow form, and preferably tapered at the ends, or at least at one end 29a (Fig-14), and being of such length as to strike a ainst the side wall of the muntin and thus be prevented from turning completely around. In applying, the bolt 31 being in place in the cover piece 30, the nut 29 is put onto the bolt with a few turns and is swung into parallelism with the muntin so as to allow assembly of the cover piece 30 with the shouldered muntin member 28 and interposed panes. On now screwing up the bolt 31, the nut 29 swings around under the shoulders and against the wall and is held from further turning while the bolt is tightened. A similar mounting may be employed in the case'of a non-glass stretcher element, for instance, a sheet metal plate as 32 (Fig. 12) and a muntin of even simpler form will suflice in such usage, the function of such muntins here being ordinarily more as intermediate and end framing rather than junction elements and a channel--piece 28d These may be sheet metal stampings welded in place. WVe prefer to provide a hole 33?) with upstanding teats or extrusions 330 adjacent thereto. A bolt extends through the support and this hole and a square nut engaged thereon is prevented by the teats from rotation so that the panel may be securely fastened to the support from .within. Attachment plates 33a are fastened in the lower member of the steel glazed panels so these panels may be used interchangeably with the panels, in ig. 11 at the floor line where the attachment plate 33a is engaged by the clip 16.

Preferably the panels are of a standardized character and capable of assembly in vertical series or in horizontal series to any extent required, and for this the horizontal frame elements 24, 25, 24a, 25a, etc. are provided with edge flanges t, which are engageable between inturned receiving flanges I, thus allowing the building up of section upon section, and section to cornice, in interlocking manner. A similar type of interengaging means may be applied on the vertical frame members if desired, but it is preferable to employ the posts, heretofore described, in assembling in horizontal series. In order to secure the panels to the supports or posts, particularly where adjacent to a cornice, take-up securing means, such as clips 16 and wedges 17 (Fig. 6) may be used, or angle-bolts 16a (Fig. 7), the hook end of the clip or of the bolt being engaged with the attaching plates 33 or 33a of the panels instead of the method described above.

The cornice C rests upon the top of the posts, and may be secured thereto by bolts 11 (Fig. 5), or by brackets extending from the Cornice being positioned back of and held by a wedge and cli on the order of those shown in Fig. 6. A plate 11a is secured in the end of the post or support to receive the bolt or bracket. Where glass is used as a top filler a 5 superstructure post S with post caps 4' extends above the cornice. This is provided with a bracket 11b and the bolt 11 may clamp the upper and lower posts together with the cornice between.

to allow the use of panel or filler members of a standard size, we may cut the end filler member to any dimension requlred and secure it in place by frame elements of the character described, or in some instances, more conveniently these may be made of beveled sheet metal strips 36 (Figs. 14, 15) having flanges 37 and longitudinal tongues 38, the latter to engage the filler member therebetween. These bevel strips 36 may be conveniently placed over form blocks 39 of wood or the like and screws 40 may be used if desired to further secure the strips thereto. A top filler member where above a cornice is desirably mounted in this manner, as shown more in detail in Fig. 15, the, top of thecornice C carrying angled strips 380. secured to the cornice member by screws in a bridge member 380 or by other desired fastening means and having opposed longitudinal tongues 38?) for engaging the filler member. In this manner the space within the cornice C is readily available as a chaseway for wires. Where glass is particularly the filler element, it is usually desirable to employ a superstructure construction embodying horizontal frame members 25, the latter being carried between opposed longitudinal tongues on angle strips which may be secured to the cornice C.

In joining the edges of two stretcher or filler pieces, muntins of the type already described may be used or in some cases more simply a form comprising two mating strips 14 as shown in Fig. 17 these being held together with the stretcher member interposed, bolts or other suitable fastening means being used.

By reason of the form of the abutments or shoulders where these are integrally provided on the support or post members, a stop or strike suitable for use with doors may be verv readily mounted, as shown for instance in Fig. 10. The stop 43 comprising a sheet metal compound-channel member which may be secured to the post by bolts or the like 44 is thus interchangeably adaptable on a standard post, and a door can be interchangeably used in lieu of the standard sections.

As will thus be seen, the construction as a whole presents a versatility of assemblage which allows of adequately meeting the'various conditions which may exist for any particular stretch of wall or partition since the supports can be provided to a standard form Where the nature of the space is such as not to be assembled in vertical or horizontal series or both, to the extent desired, and supplemented where necessary by extensions of uniform type and the panel or filler members may be'of size and form required, and thinner or thicker, opaque or transparent as preferred for each particular part of the area. It will be understood also that wire mesh or grating may also be used in this relation as the panel or stretcher element of a filler portion.

This application is a division of our application Serial No. 134,110, filed Sept. 7, 1926.

Other modes of applying the rinciple of this invention may be employed instead of that explained, change being made as regards the features herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

We therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as our invention 2-- 1. In partition construction, the combination of assemblable upright supporting elements each of generally channel form, spaced ties connecting opposed flanges thereof without obstructing access to the opening between the assemblage forming a symmetrical hollow post having uniform longitudinal recesses on all four sides, and a plurality of panel units in removable vertical assembly between such uprights. v

2. In partition construction, the combination of a plurality of coacting panel units in removable assembly one above another, the margins of each panel unit having outwardly directed longitudinal flanges, said flanges having their edges rebent to form inturned flanges, the inturned flanges of one panel fitting against the inturned flanges of an adjacent panel, and means for aligning said panels.

3. In partition construction, the combination of a plurality of panel units removabl assembled vertically with respect to eac other, each having generally channel shaped longitudinal members with outwardly directed flanges, said flanges being rebent to form inturned flanges, and the flanges of one member being further bent in extension to nest within the flange edges of the opposite .member of an adjacent panel. 2 7

4. In partition construction, the combination of a plurality of panel units removably assembled vertically with respect to each other each having generally channel shaped longitudinal members with outwardly directed flanges, said flanges being rebent .to form inturned flanges, and such inbent flanges being further bent in extension, those of one member internally and those of the adjacent member of the adjoining panel externally whereby tointerfit and align. I

5. In partition construction, the combinas tion of a plurality of panel sections in vertical assembly with respect to each other and each having generally channel-shaped horizontal members, said members having their edges rebent inwardly to form inturned flanges, and an intermediate generally channel-shaped horizontal member engaged between the aforesaid horizontal members with means for alignment.

6. In partition construction, the combination of coacting channel-shaped muntin strips and a'nut within coacting with a bolt for connecting said strips together, and being entirely concealed from outside the partition.

7 In partition construction, the combination with a panel stretcher plate, of channelshaped marginal framing members for said stretcher plate, each having in its web portion a facing groove in which said stretcher plate seats, the marginal members on opposite edges of said stretcher plate having respectively receiving flanges and entering flanges, adapted to nest with corresponding flanges on adjacent members.

8. In partition construction, a panel member comprising channel-shaped sheet metal top and bottom frame elements, each having a receiving groove in its web portion, a stretcher plate engaged in said grooves, and coacting channel-shaped muntins engaging the stretcher plate and completing the frame at each end.

9. In partition construction, a panel member comprising channel-shaped sheet metal top and bottom frame elements, each having a receiving groove in its web portion, a stretcher plate engaged in said grooves, and coacting channel-shaped muntins engaging the stretcher plate and extending between said frame elements at the ends and intermediately.

10. In partition construction, the combination of coacting channel-shaped muntin strips, and means for connecting said strips, said means including a bolt adapted to engage one said muntin strip and a nut adapted to enter within the channel of the other strip and engage internal ledges thereof, said nut having a projecting portion acting as a stop against excessive turning.

11. In partition construction, the combination of hollow frame elements having longitudinal grooves, a stretcher element receivable in said groove, a muntin for said stretchor element comprising opposed channelshaped strips, and means for connecting said strips, said means including a bolt adapted to engage one said muntin strip and a nut adapted to enter within the channel of the other strip and engage internal ledges thereof, said nut having a projecting portion acting as a stop against excessive turning.

12. In partition construction, a plurality of panel members having generally channel shaped horizontals, such panels being removably and interchangeably assembled one 

